The UCLA School of Law Veterans Legal Clinic seeks to address the unmet legal needs of veterans, particularly those staying or accessing services at the West LA VA Medical Center, and develop the practical skills of law students while enhancing their knowledge of, and appreciation for, the issues facing our former military service members. It is located at the West LA VA Medical Center campus, which has several permanent supportive housing sites and shelter programs for unhoused veterans.

If you are a veteran or veteran service provider seeking assistance, please visit our Resources Page for additional information.

As part of UCLA Law's Experiential Education program, students in the clinic learn essential lawyering skills by working with individual clients and community organizations. Clinic clientele include veterans who are chronically homeless and those who are aging, disabled, and returning from incarceration.

"My experience with the Veterans Legal Clinic was the most meaningful part of my time at UCLA Law. Under the guidance of Professors Nishimoto and Patel, the Clinic helped me bridge the gap between legal theory and real-world advocacy through client-centered work on behalf of those who truly needed dedicated representation."
--Gabriel Henriquez ‘25

Related Article: In UCLA Law’s Veterans Legal Clinic, students serve those who served

"From my initial meeting at the West LA Stand Down, the students and staff members of the UCLA Veterans Legal Clinic have gone above and beyond. They have not only assisted me with appealing my benefits claims, but also accompanied me to doctor's appointments and talked to my case worker about my housing needs. They listen and want to help."
--Jesse Cage

"The results Ms. Patel and her students achieved for me changed my life. I went from homeless to owning my home. I went from sleeping under a bridge to sleeping in my own bed. When I received the news that the VA admitted its mistake and returned $70,000 in benefits to me, I could not believe it. Without the help of the UCLA Veterans Legal Clinic, I don’t know where I would be today."
--Darius Fryar

"The UCLA Veterans Legal Clinic has been an incredible partner in the work to ensure a just and equitable recovery in Altadena following the Eaton fire. Combining expert legal analysis, groundbreaking quantitative and qualitative research, and a deep commitment to community-led advocacy, the Clinic has helped identify and address the disproportionate risk of displacement facing Black residents and seniors as a result of post-fire real estate speculation. Professors Patel and Nishimoto have created a national model for community-centered legal clinics."
--Doug Smith, Inclusive Action for the City